vas·sal 
(văsəl)
(văsəl)n.
1. A person who held land from a feudal lord and received protection in return for homage and allegiance.
2. A bondman; a slave.
3. A subordinate or dependent.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *vassallus, from *vassus, of Celtic origin; see upo in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]